Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu has observed a junior high school class aimed at raising public awareness about North Korean abductions of Japanese citizens.

Matsuno is also the minister in charge of the abductions issue. He visited Higashi Junior High School in Ageo City, Saitama Prefecture, on Monday, and sat in on the class for the second-year students.

The students learned that the Japanese government officially recognizes 17 abductees, but that only five of them have returned to Japan. They also watched an animated video of the story of Yokota Megumi, who was abducted by North Korean agents 45 years ago while on her way home from junior high school.

Matsuno then exchanged views with the students and teachers.

A student said he felt the abduction victims were suddenly robbed of their ordinary everyday lives.

The teacher, Ebina Kengo, said he is trying to devise ways to make the students think of the problem as their own.

Matsuno, the government's chief spokesperson, later told reporters that it is important for Japanese people to unite and show their determination to bring back all the victims as soon as possible. He said that in order to resolve the issue, the government will work hard to educate young people on the issue.